Water heater



Dec. 29, 1936. l c. F. KEIRLE WATER HEATER Filed May 3, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l C. F. KEIRLE WATER HEATER FiledMay 5, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 f L @QQ/w III/l Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a heat exchanger particularly adapted for providing a hot water supply in residences, apartments, hotels and the like, in conjunction with a boiler of the heating system.

An object of this invention is to provide a device of this character which is economical to construct, durable in service, easy of maintenance, and efcient in operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide in such a device means by which several streams of Water passing through separate tubes of the heater may be mixed and remixed to secure a maximum heat exchange.

Further objects will be apparent from the following detail description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device partly in section and with the cover plate removed showing the device connected in a system in which it is adapted to operate;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through the device;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3, Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4, Fig. 2.

In its general construction the heater comprises a cylindrical shell with tube plates at each end spaced from cover or end plates respectively. Connections are made with the boiler to provide hot water for heat exchange about tubes which have their ends secured in the tube plates and communicate with the spaces between the tube plates and end plates. A bale is provided to divide each of the end spaces into separate chambers. An inlet and an outlet is provided for the chambers in such a manner that Water must traverse the heater three times.

More specifically and in accordance with the preferred construction shown in the accompanying drawings, a cylinder or casing I is divided by tube plates 2 and 3 each spaced from the end of the casing. The chamber between the tube plates, designated as 4, is in the central part of the cylinder and is provided with circulating hot water from a boiler 5, through inlet pipes 6 and 'I and a return pipe 8.

A series of tubes 9, a series of tubes I0, and a series of tubes II have their ends secured to the tube plates 2 and 3 and traverse the chamber 4.

A chamber is formed at the end of the casing adjacent the tube plate 2 by an end plate I2 and a similar chamber is formed adjacent the tube plate 3 by an end plate I3. The chamber between the tube plate 2 and cover plate I2 is dvided into two compartments I4 and I5, by a baffle I6, positioned between the ends of the tubes 9 and the ends of the tubes I0. The chamber between the tube plate 3 and the end plate I3 is divided into two compartments I'I and I by a baffle plate I9 positioned between the ends of the tubes I0 and the ends of the tubes II.

An inlet pipe 20 for the water to be heated is connected into the compartment I4 and an outlet pipe 2l for the heated water is connected into the compartment I 8.

The tubes 9 and II are preferably of much smaller diameter than the second series of tubes IIl. Thus, when water enters the heater through the pipe 20 and passes into the chamber Ifi it is conducted therefrom by the series of small tubes 9 to the chamber Il, whence it is mixed and passes into the larger tubes Iii in its second path through the heater. Then the water is conducted into the compartment I6 where it is broken up in order to be conducted through the series of smaller tubes II to the last compartment I8, connected with the outlet pipe 2|'. The fact that the water is completely mixed in the compartment II and again separated in the compartment I5 adds efliciency to the device and increases the amount of heat exchange over a similar device where the same size tubes are used throughout.

In the actual construction of the device the tube plates 2 and 3 are cut to the approximate inside diameter of the cylindrical shell or casing I. The tubes are then assembled with the plates 2 and 3, the ends of the tubes being attached to the plates either by expanding them or by brazing. The assembly comprising the tubes an-d plates are then inserted in the shell and the plates are welded to the inside surface of the casing. Rings 22 are cut to the diameter of the casing I, are welded to it thereby forming attaching flanges for the cover plates I2 and I3 respectively. The bale plates I5 and I9 are inserted in their proper position and welde-d to the inside surface of the casing I and to the tube plates 2 and 3 respectively. They are so constructed and positioned that the outer edge of each of them is ush with the adjacent iange 22. Each of the cover plates I2 and I3, which are dat circular plates, has a gasket 23 which forms a seal between the cover plate and the flange, as Well as between the cover plate and the outer edge of the baille plate.

Thimbles 24, to form connections with the pipes 6, I, 8, 28 and 2|, are inserted in holes cut in the casing I and welded thereto.

'Ihe plates I2 and I3 are attached to the flanges 22 respectively by bolts 25 which pass through appropriate holes in the cover plates adapted to register with holes 26 in the flanges.

It will be obvious from the foregoing description that the device lends itself to economical construction. Stock flat steel may be used throughout and the entire device fabricated by the use of simple equipment in a quick and ecient manner. Plain circular packing gaskets only are required and the cover plates maybe readily removed for cleaning the tubes as required.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction, Within the scope of the appended claim, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

compartment at the first end of the chamber, and

a second series of relatively small tubes traversing said chamber communicating the last named compartment with an outlet compartment at said other end.

CHARLES F. KEIRLE. 

